Espresso Ricotta Cheesecake Food

CHOCOLATE ESPRESSO CHEESECAKE WITH GANACHE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• To make the crust:
• Place the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter and cinnamon in a food processor fitted with a steel blade and pulse until combined. Pour into a 9-inch springform pan. With your hands, press the crumbs into the bottom of the pan. Bake for 12 minutes. Cool to room temperature.
• Meanwhile, chop the bittersweet chocolate and place it in a heat-proof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Add the espresso and stir until just melted. Set aside until cooled to room temperature.
• To make the filling:
• Cream the cream cheese, sugar, cornstarch, vanilla and almond extracts and salt in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Reduce the speed of the mixer to medium and add the eggs, 1 at a time, mixing well. Scrape down the bowl and beater, as necessary. With the mixer on low, add the sour cream, and the cooled chocolate mixture. Mix thoroughly and pour into the cooled crust.
• Bake for 1 hour. Turn the oven off and allow the cake to sit in the oven with the door opened wide for 1 1/2 hours. Take the cake out of the oven and allow it to sit at room temperature, until completely cooled.
• For the ganache:
• Finely chop the semisweet chocolate and place it in a heat-proof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Add the cream and stir until just melted. Set aside until cooled to room temperature.
• Remove the cake from the springform pan by carefully running a hot knife around the outside of the cake. Leave the cake on the bottom of the springform pan for serving. Drizzle the ganache over the top of the cheesecake.

RICOTTA CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. In a bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and sugar; stir in butter. Press onto the bottom and 1 in. up the sides of a greased 9-in. springform pan. , Place on a baking sheet. Bake for 6-8 minutes or until crust is lightly browned around the edge. Cool on a wire rack. , In a large bowl, beat ricotta cheese on medium speed for 1 minute. Add sugar; beat for 1 minute. Add eggs; beat just until combined. Beat in flour and vanilla. Pour into crust. , Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 50-60 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight. Remove sides of pan. If desired, serve with Hot Cherry Sauce. Refrigerate leftovers.

ESPRESSO RICOTTA CHEESECAKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Butter a 10-inch springform pan.
• Using a rolling pin crush amaretti cookies to fine crumbs. Set aside 1/2 cup of crumbs and transfer remaining crumbs to a bowl; add graham crackers and stir in melted butter. Press crumb mixture on bottom and halfway up sides of springform pan. Bake 5 minutes; cool completely.
• In a small bowl sprinkle gelatin over cold water and let soften. In a large bowl combine hot espresso with sugar and gelatin mixture and stir to dissolve. Let cool slightly. Add ricotta cheese and beat until smooth. Stir in vanilla. In a chilled bowl whip 1/2 cup of the cream to stiff peaks; fold into coffee mixture. Pour half of coffee mixture into crust, top with reserved amaretti crumbs and cover with remaining coffee mixture. Smooth top. Chill overnight.
• To serve, run a knife around edge of pan to loosen and carefully remove springform rim. Whip remaining 1/4 cup heavy cream flavored with cinnamon to stiff peaks, transfer to a pastry tube and pipe decorative rosettes on cake. Sprinkle with toasted almonds.